A Mystical Legend

Description

Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone 1, Alto Saxophone 2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet in Bb 1, Trumpet in Bb 2, Horn in F, Trombone, Euphonium, Bb Euphonium, Tuba, Mallet Percussion, Bells, Timpani, Percussion 1, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Percussion 2, Tom-tom, Percussion 3, Tambourine, Percussion 4, Rain Stick — A Mystical Legend depicts the loup-garou (French: werewolf, sometimesxa0 rendered as rougarou in spelling and pronunciation). This sort of swamp wolf man from Cajun folklore is largely used as a children’s tale to inspire obedience, though it can be seen as a force for good. This composition presents the loup-garou as a misunderstood monster or a tragic protagonist. While the music portrays it in a scary and foreboding way, this is the perception of the townspeople who fear the monster.Performance Notes:This programmatic piece presents the awakening of the loup-garou in the introduction, followed by its prowling of the land in the main melody section at mm. 8–32. At m. 32, it has found its prey. In the section from mm. 40–51, the danger is imminent as it closes in, though it does not catch its quarry as m. 52 returns it to its search. Measure 73 is when it either confronts or is confronted by its prey (or its predator depending on one’s perception of the story). Measure 82 returns to the B section only for the piece to close with a dirge ending, leaving the story open ended. In the percussion parts, sticks are to be clicked together starting slowly and quietly and increasing in speed and volume in mm. 2–7, 40–47, and 86–87. Throughout, there are cues for the tuba if there are no bass clarinets or baritone saxophones present. In mm. 33–38, only one trombone and euphonium player should be used. Mystical Legend depicts the loup-garou (French: werewolf, sometimes rendered as rougarou in spelling and pronunciation). This swamp wolf man from Cajun folklore is largely used as a children’s tale to inspire obedience, though it can be seen as a force for good. This edgy and eerie composition presents the loup-garou as a misunderstood monster or a tragic protagonist.

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